Schifanoia Museum guided tour

THE EXPERIENCE

In-depth guided tour of one of the most iconic building in the Italian art history, further embellished following a skilful restoration and a new captivating set-up.
To dodge boredom - in Italian ‘schivar la noia’: this was the purpose of the suburban palace conceived by Alberto d'Este in the 14th century. The palace is also closely linked to the figure of duke Borso d'Este, lord of the city between 1450 and 1471, to whom we owe the expansion and decoration of the palace according to Renaissance taste. The decoration of the main hall, the Salone dei Mesi, dates back to this period, which under the direction of Pellegrino Prisciani engaged the most important painters of the Officina Ferrarese: Cosmè Tura, Francesco del Cossa, Ercole de' Roberti, Gherardo di Andrea Fiorini da Vicenza and a mysterious painter called by historians the ‘Master with wide eyes’.

Visiting Schifanoia's rooms means embarking on a splendid journey throughout time: suddenly conversing with dukes, courtiers, cherubs, among court rooms and fantastic landscapes, ranging from 15th century miniatures to 15th and 18th century sculpture, from Renaissance to naturalistic and Baroque painting, from pottery to medals and mintings.

Ph Pierluigi Benini